Runtime: I saw the version
that is 178 minutes long
Directed by: Kevin
Reynolds... although a lot of it was allegedly done by Costner
Starring: Kevin Costner,
Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, Dennis Hopper, Kim Coates
From: Universal
I wish I could be in the cult of fans that this has now. Alas...
I wonder what Joseph Hazelwood thinks of this film.
Many lunar cycles ago I saw the theatrical cut of this infamous motion picture; January I purchased the Arrow Blu-ray release of Waterworld, which has many goodies... including The Ulysses Cut; that is an almost 3 hour version that adds in various scenes and to me, is the preferable way of watching this as that material does close several plotholes.
Thing is, I recalled the movie as being fine back then; I do not feel that way now. The biggest problem is that The Mariner is a completely unlikable A-hole and that is an issue when The Mariner is our antihero, a guy we're supposed to root for as he eventually helps the good guys try to find land in a world that is all water because of global warming... of course the melting of the ice caps wouldn't cause the oceans to rise up several miles higher but why let facts get in the way of the plot? Anyhow, the plot as a whole is standard stuff but it should have made for a decent blockbuster. However, when you (well, at least me) hated The Mariner and couldn't stand all those scenes where he treated Enola-the child who held the key to finding dry land... literally known as Dryland-and the woman who raised her as her own child like utter garbage... that is a huge problem.
I mean, The Deacon was more likable to me and he was the crazed villain who piloted “The 'Dez” (and wait until you hear what that ship actually is; by now it is a dated reference so I imagine many would have to use Google to get the joke) and preached lies to his followers. The Mariner also lies often and at least Deacon doesn't rudely yell and browbeat his minions to an absurd degree and hell... when he's asked why he doesn't kill people on the ship or use other methods to ensure a more viable future for the ship's residents, he preferred finding Dryland so they can have population growth. Deacon is a cartoony bad guy and yet he was a relief from all those scenes of Mariner being a moody dick who is utterly unpleasant to be around. Dennis Hopper did a nice job portraying him but by this point, no s*** he could play a heel rather well.
It's a shame as the movie does look real nice with all its practical sets in a unique setting and of course it'd be far easier to do now in 2019 with CG but it just wouldn't feel and look the same compared to those real life creations, some of which are truly massive. No wonder the cost was a then-absurd 175 million dollars with all the natural struggles of shooting in an ocean far away from land. Seasickness is a given but there was also weather, transportation, and just being able to use the bathroom as several examples. Waterworld as a reputation as being awful but that is unfair; it was at least one person doing everyone else dirty by anonymously spilling the beans to the press about the nightmare that was this film's production.
When Kevin Costner and Kevin Reynolds reunited to make the History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, I was genuinely flabbergasted. They had an epic love-hate relationship where they'd work with each other on a movie, star Costner and director Reynolds would get mad at each other, swear to never collaborate again, only to kiss and make up. This happened a few times but Waterworld was so contentious, that rift could not be closed for many years.
I do understand why this has many fans as like I said, there are entertaining action scenes in a different setting. Heck, this eventually made a profit, albeit years later. I am sure all of them will love the Arrow release as it has various goodies along with three different cuts of the film. Me... at least I can go back and be bemused at The Deacon.
Many lunar cycles ago I saw the theatrical cut of this infamous motion picture; January I purchased the Arrow Blu-ray release of Waterworld, which has many goodies... including The Ulysses Cut; that is an almost 3 hour version that adds in various scenes and to me, is the preferable way of watching this as that material does close several plotholes.
Thing is, I recalled the movie as being fine back then; I do not feel that way now. The biggest problem is that The Mariner is a completely unlikable A-hole and that is an issue when The Mariner is our antihero, a guy we're supposed to root for as he eventually helps the good guys try to find land in a world that is all water because of global warming... of course the melting of the ice caps wouldn't cause the oceans to rise up several miles higher but why let facts get in the way of the plot? Anyhow, the plot as a whole is standard stuff but it should have made for a decent blockbuster. However, when you (well, at least me) hated The Mariner and couldn't stand all those scenes where he treated Enola-the child who held the key to finding dry land... literally known as Dryland-and the woman who raised her as her own child like utter garbage... that is a huge problem.
I mean, The Deacon was more likable to me and he was the crazed villain who piloted “The 'Dez” (and wait until you hear what that ship actually is; by now it is a dated reference so I imagine many would have to use Google to get the joke) and preached lies to his followers. The Mariner also lies often and at least Deacon doesn't rudely yell and browbeat his minions to an absurd degree and hell... when he's asked why he doesn't kill people on the ship or use other methods to ensure a more viable future for the ship's residents, he preferred finding Dryland so they can have population growth. Deacon is a cartoony bad guy and yet he was a relief from all those scenes of Mariner being a moody dick who is utterly unpleasant to be around. Dennis Hopper did a nice job portraying him but by this point, no s*** he could play a heel rather well.
It's a shame as the movie does look real nice with all its practical sets in a unique setting and of course it'd be far easier to do now in 2019 with CG but it just wouldn't feel and look the same compared to those real life creations, some of which are truly massive. No wonder the cost was a then-absurd 175 million dollars with all the natural struggles of shooting in an ocean far away from land. Seasickness is a given but there was also weather, transportation, and just being able to use the bathroom as several examples. Waterworld as a reputation as being awful but that is unfair; it was at least one person doing everyone else dirty by anonymously spilling the beans to the press about the nightmare that was this film's production.
When Kevin Costner and Kevin Reynolds reunited to make the History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, I was genuinely flabbergasted. They had an epic love-hate relationship where they'd work with each other on a movie, star Costner and director Reynolds would get mad at each other, swear to never collaborate again, only to kiss and make up. This happened a few times but Waterworld was so contentious, that rift could not be closed for many years.
I do understand why this has many fans as like I said, there are entertaining action scenes in a different setting. Heck, this eventually made a profit, albeit years later. I am sure all of them will love the Arrow release as it has various goodies along with three different cuts of the film. Me... at least I can go back and be bemused at The Deacon.
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